The transport sector is a major part of the economy that significantly contributes to diversification and development by offering range of services to customers – whether individuals or institutions from the public and private sectors – that may extend to other sectors as well.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) proposed its “end-to-end vehicle lifecycle management using Blockchain” project for the Dubai 10X Initiative – an ambitious venture overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). The project seeks to improve customer experience by providing a holistic view of vehicle-lifecycle services using Blockchain technology, starting from the manufacturer all the way to the scrap yard.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of DFF’s Board of Trustees, launched the bold plan, among a bundle of avant-garde proposals for Dubai 10X at the 6th World Government Summit, held in Dubai in February 2018. The Dubai 10X initiative seeks to place Dubai Government entities 10 years ahead of the rest of the world in all sectors, propelling the emirate into the future by implementing today what other cities around the world will be implementing 10 years from now.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan adopted 26 projects presented by 24 government entities. The shortlisted projects were evaluated by a panel of international experts out of a total of more than 160 ideas submitted by 36 parties in less than 365 days.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), revealed that the “end-to-end vehicle lifecycle management using Blockchain” project will be the first government platform in the world to offer a reliable source of vehicle history information, making Dubai – and the UAE – a major hub for the automotive industry in the region, which will positively influence both the local and regional car markets, and the car-manufacturing industry as a whole.

“Blockchain provides a transparent record to the entire business network, allowing buyers and sellers of each vehicle to track where the vehicle is in its lifecycle,” H.E. stated, reaffirming that RTA’s initiatives complement the government’s directions, as well as the global trends in shaping the future of transport and mobility.

“The platform benefits many stakeholders,” he explained, “including car manufactures, dealers, regulators, insurance companies, buyers, sellers and even garages, providing transparency and trust in vehicle transactions, preventing disputes and lowering the cost of services. It tracks ownership, sale, and accident history to create smart, more efficient systems for supply chains, Internet of Things networks, multimedia rights management, Government proof of identity, and insurance record management.”

In its earliest stages, the platform will cover all cars in Dubai, before extending to cover all cars in the UAE to ensure the integration of vehicle information. Using Blockchain makes the RTA a pioneer in building the first vehicle lifecycle management system, which will later be expanded and implemented around the world.

“The Authority will begin implementing the register as of Q1 2018, in the hopes of launching the completed system in 2020,” H.E. Al Tayer revealed, adding that the RTA plans to work with strategic partners, whereby IBM will come on board as strategy formulation consultant, while future partners include government entities such as Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), the Emirates Authority For Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), Emirates ID, and the Ministry of Interior.

DFF’s CEO H.E. Khalfan Belhoul said: “We are at the beginning of a new era for the transport sector; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the RTA’s path-breaking initiative at the sixth World Government Summit, where the Authority clearly signalled that it has started working today on what cities around the world will be implementing ten years from now. Furthermore, the ambitious project will be made reality in Dubai within the next 24 months.”

“Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence have become indispensable for the delivery of future government services. By introducing the Dubai 10X projects, the emirate draws one step closer to achieving the Dubai Plan 2021” H.E. added.

Overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), the Dubai 10X Initiative seeks to place Dubai Government entities 10 years ahead of the rest of the world in all sectors, propelling the emirate into the future by implementing today what cities around the world will be implementing 10 years from now – all under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of DFF’s Board of Trustees, and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Government bodies across all sectors are joining in the effort to implement their projects in collaboration with innovative tech companies, heeding the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, who called on all government entities in Dubai to embrace today what other cities will be implementing 10 years from now, as he launched the Dubai 10X initiative for the first time during the 5th annual World Government Summit in 2017.